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A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover

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das_slash said:
Top hat for the leader, fez for ceremonial purposes.
And tiny vests of course, proper ceremonial attire.
Damn, i love our monkeys so much.
I kill those mercenaries in my dreams every night.
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Monocles all the way!

Also, we need to explain what gods are to them. Well, come along and slap an AoN on Marles (damm, but I suck at names. Lawyer dude) and generally... help.
 
Wait, we introduced her to the party as is? I thought Waymar was in the dark because he's too wary of Bloodraven? Also is his arm back?
 
Takesis said:
Wait, we introduced her to the party as is? I thought Waymar was in the dark because he's too wary of Bloodraven? Also is his arm back?
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Pretty sure we told the party everything as soon as we woke up after making our deal for Rhaella wayyyy back.

Except wildfire in KL, that's under "don't think about it, because we don't have mindblank"
 
BeepSmile said:
Pretty sure we told the party everything as soon as we woke up after making our deal for Rhaella wayyyy back.
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Um, we didn't?

DragonParadox said:
You speak of how Bloodraven, and through him his gods, promised to aid you in reclaiming the Iron Throne. Garin gives you a sharp look at that and asks what you swore in exchange. You leave it a a vague: championing of their interests, mentioning that you swore not to harshly punish House Stark for their betrayal. Then you tell of the Others returning. Waymar, who until them had been looking dissatisfied suddenly paled his eyes going wide with fear and... recognition?

It seems he has fought an Other in his most recent mystical dream. Any concerns about the Old Gods are forgotten, as he hurries straight away to write a letter to his father. You would warn him that such a warning is unlikely to be heeded, but you suspect he has to feel he is doing something productive.
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We only told Tyene, Dany and Ser Richard after talking to Oberyn about it.

DragonParadox said:
You look around, your eyes falling on Dany as she nods seriously to your lecture. This is not how you wished her to find out of Boodraven's offer, but you feel that you need something more definite to give Oberyn, least he turn to death magic or summoning of things best left to the darkness beyond the world.
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So is she glamoured right now or what? Because she'll be a target if our enemies finds out she's alive again.
 
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Part MDCLXV: A Scattering of Swords
  • Threadmarks
    • A Scattering of Swords​

    Twenty-Fifth Day of the Twelfth Month 292 AC

    Having left your mother in Dany's capable hands and seen to it that Soft Strider and her company would at least have temporary lodgings while they got their bearings, you will yourself to Braavos seeking Uthero to speak both on the matter of Alysande's return to the Silver Eye and whatever sellswords he might have been able to find for your quickly approaching attack on Tyrosh.

    "Aly is doing about as well as can be expected for someone in her position... cut off from so much of her life. I worry about her throwing herself into her work so much," Uthero admits when you meet with him. "Then I remember that every mage, every agent she trains is one more that can help her stay alive. I'm not entirely sure what to tell her..."

    "Perhaps don't tell her anything, listen and be ready to talk things through when she is ready," you advise, thinking back to your own recent experiences.

    The young man sighs. "Easier to say than to do, but I see the wisdom of it. Perhaps I should involve myself more in the doings of the Silver Eye..."

    From there the discussion moves on the Braavos' minor arcane matters and how they entwine with matters of politics and, of course, trade. Not much has happened of late beyond a particularly sordid scandal involving the use of charm magic finally pushing even the lower rungs of the Braavosi aristocracy to scrape together enough funds for some sort of wards against enchantment. There might be some profit to revisiting the mater of selling amulets of protection, if you can ever find the time for it.

    Soon, however, Uthero brings up your second and truth be told most important reason to be in Braavos, that of the Sellswords he had promised to finance. Though his first reason for wishing to throw himself into such an adventure had passed, gratitude more than makes up for the lack, especially when combined with the thought of ending the slave trade in western Essos, something that had long been spoken of in the more fiery and militant circles of young Braavosi aristocracy.

    "I'm afraid there are not going to be any famous... or even infamous companies in the mix," the young keyholder admits. "Most of them are under contract, strange as that is given the outbreak of peace in the Disputed Lands."

    "I asked for sellswords, you found men willing to sell their swords. I shall not be checking their teeth too closely," you reassure him.

    "None of them are quite so poorly armed as to to be reduced to biting their enemies," Uthero jests before summoning his majordomo and telling him that you are ready to receive the captains of the sellswords he had found for your inspection.

    Which do you hire?

    [] The Wolf's Teeth, a company of roughly 800 pikemen and 400 skirmishers claiming dubious lineage from the Company of the Rose (Cost 1000 Gold)

    [] Marco's Marksmen, a company of 500 Myrmen crossbowmen and 1500 spearmen and other odds and sods the captain manged to 'induct' on the spot with promises of negotiating for better pay (Cost 1600 Gold)

    [] The Long Axes, a company of 450 heavily armored Ibbenise axemen who claim to be as much at home in the spear-line as they are as marines (Cost 2000 Gold)

    [] Roughly 700 lone blades, former bandits and other assorted rabble (Cost ???)

    [] Write in

    OOC: All costs are for a year's service which is the unofficial minimum for which companies are hired. Just to be clear you are not paying them, Uthero is. The costs are generally there to give you an idea of what they are worth, or think they are. If you want the rabble you are going to have to go out and shout at them for a bit until you reach an agreement since they have no leaders.
     
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  • Threadmarks
    • ryuan said:
    She also probably have Contingency up and running so killing her will be a problem if she actually appears with the strike team.
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    She's got a pair of twins to take care of now. If DP is being at all fair, her adventuring has been curtailed considerably, considering what we saw in her last interlude. Apparently a Fiend of some sort tried to kill or take them?

    And Contingency is hardly a problem, especially at her caster level. At worst, she could have a single 4th level spell as a Contingent effect.
     
    We could probably equip them ourselves with better gear, though giving good steel to "former bandits" and other sellswords that likely don't have any unit cohesion seems like a waste.

    The best among the bunch is probably The Wolf's Teeth, not for their supposed connection to a more distinguished company, but for the fact that they don't seem as "on-the-spot" and disorganized.

    The Long Axes are good, but expensive and we're mostly just trying to hire people to garrison the city in the aftermath. Which would make quantity have a quality of its own. More boots on the ground, as it were.

    We also want to hire people who won't run off and sack the city, thus creating needless riots and fires we have to put out or disperse.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    In the Court of the Sorcerer King​

    Twenty-Fifth Day of the Twelfth Month 292 AC

    As Rhaella made her way through her son's keep, responding to greetings and small-talk with the near instinctive skill borne of a lifetime's experience, she tried to weigh and measure it against that experience and found herself struggling. It was not the truly fantastical things: the marvelous lanterns everywhere, the plate of drinks borne by no mortal hands, not even the glimpse she caught of sliver monkeys that chattered not as beasts do, but as men in truth, for that was so strange as to barely make a ripple upon her consciousness. It was the sheer informality of it all, a place where half the servants forgot to say your grace or milord, and little wonder when it seemed like half the most distinguished people in that court bore no title of rank, or indeed even a second name.

    Perhaps she should suggest to Viserys that he simply ennoble them for valor, the dowager queen had thought. The notion would have been absurd a few days ago, laughable even, but she was slowly realizing that mere absurdity was a small thing in a world gone mad, where legends might walk beneath the light of day and men might speak of gods as something to be fought against.

    The steward was having an affair with the captain of the guard, she realized abruptly as she looked between the two, reading the signs beneath their strange Essosi mannerisms. The Dornish girl caught her eye... a small nod, showing that she knew, no that everyone knew and did not care.

    Rhaella breathed out slowly through her mouth, thankful that the Royce boy was more than happy to fill the silence with talk of his exploits. Who was there to care really? There were no pious lords and ladies to be shocked, no septons to condemn, and king himself openly flaunted... no, that would imply defiance that was not there... showed his mistress. Little wonder that those around him would pay scant mind to the matter, when the highest of councils of the realm held children, commoners and commoner children. Why would any of them care?

    "It's alright, Mother," Daenerys appeared as if by magic at her side, perhaps it had been by magic for all she knew.

    "It's hard to take in all at once," she admitted, in a whisper just as soft as her daughter's. Then wearily: "Except it's not really all at once, is it? It just feels like it."

    "You can come lay down for a bit, we can talk too if you'd like," her daughter said. "You've met everyone. There is no need to make small-talk for minutes on end." The reassurance was also a reminder of just how strange everything was, but on the other hand there was a sort of relief to it.

    What had all the courtesies and all the pious lords done in Aerys' court? What had all the gallant knights in polished armor and bright surcoats done for the madness that festered beneath the glittering facade? The thought was not a new one, but for the first time it was not filled only with bitterness, but with a sort of vindication for having escaped from it.

    Rhaella made her excuses to the boy opposite to her and allowed Daenerys to lead her away. As they climbed to the apartments royal, she asked: "Could you tell me of the history of those in attendance below? I was too busy talking to them to listen." A stray giggle escaped her. "That sounds truly ridiculous to say, doesn't it?"

    "A little," Daenerys admitted. "Everyone's lives have their small absurdities if you think of it."

    "The lives of royals more than most." A pause lingered between them, then the dowager queen said words she was surprised to find coming truthfully to her lips: "I'm glad you did not have to grow up at court."

    "At father's court," her daughter countered. "I'm sure with your help we can make this one much better."

    With her help... hearing the words was a balm, but also a reminder that she could not just wallow in confusion forever. Her children needed her and to help them she would first have to understand.

    Rhaella Targaryen listened to her daughter's tales over the next few hours as closely as she ever had to anything in her life.

    OOC: I was originally going to do an ordinary update then this just spontaneously popped into my head in the middle of the first paragraph and I had to write it down. Next up Viserys dealing with sellwords.
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    DragonParadox said:
    A Scattering of Swords​

    Twenty-Fifth Day of the Twelfth Month 292 AC

    Having left your mother in Dany's capable hands and seen to it that Soft Strider and her company would at least have temporary lodgings while they got their bearings you will yourself to Braavos seeking Uthero to speak both on the matter of Alysande's return to the Silver Eye and whatever sellswords he might have been able to find for your quickly approaching attack on Tyrosh.

    "Aly is doing about as well as can be expected for someone in her position... cut off from so much of her life. I worry about her throwing herself into her work so much," Uthero admits when you meet with him. "Then I remember that every mage, every agent she trains is one more than can help her stay alive. I'm not entirely sure what to tell her..."

    "Perhaps don't tell her anything, listen and be ready to talk things through when she is ready," you advise, thnking back to your own recent experiences.

    The young man sighs. "Easier to say then to do, but I see the wisdom of it. Perhaps I should involve myself more in the doings of the Silver Eye..."

    From there the discussion moves on the Braavos' minor arcane matters and how they entwine with matters of politics and, of course trade. Not much has happened of late beyond a particularly sordid scandal involving the use of charm magic finally pushing even the lower rungs of the Braavosi aristocracy to scrape together enough funds for some sort of wards against enchantment. There might be some profit to revisiting the mater of selling amulets of protection, if you can ever find the time for it.

    Soon however Uthero brings up your second, and truth be told most important reason to be in Braavos, that of the Sellswords he had promised to finance. Though his first reason for wishing to throw himself into such a adventure had passed, gratitude more than makes up for the lack, especially when combined with the through of ending the slave trade in western Essos, something that had long been spoken of in the more fiery and militant circles of young Braavosi aristocracy.

    "I'm afraid there are not going to be any famous... or even infamous companies in the mix," the young keyholder admits. "Most of them are under contract, strange as that is given the outbreak of peace in the Disputed Lands."

    "I asked for sellswords, you found men willing to sell their swords. I shall not be checking their teeth too closely," you reassure him.

    "None of them are quite so poorly armed as to to be reduced to biting their enemies," Uthero jests before summoning his majordomo and telling him that you are ready to receive the captains of the sellswords he had found for your inspection.

    Which do you hire?

    [] The Wolf's Teeth, a company of roughly 800 pikemen and 400 skirmishers claiming dubious lineage from the Company of the Rose (Cost 1000 Gold)

    [] Marco's Marksmen, a company of 500 Myrmen crossbowmen and 1500 spearmen and other odds and sods the captain manged to 'induct' on the spot with promises of negotiating for better pay (Cost 1600 Gold)

    [] The Long Axes, A company of 450 heavily armored armored Ibbenise axemen who claim to be as much at home in the spear-line as they are as marines (Cost 2000 Gold)

    [] Roughly 700 lone blades, former bandits and other assorted rabble (Cost ???)

    [] Write in

    OOC: All costs are for a year's service which is the unofficial minimum for which companies are hired. Just to be clear you are not paying them, Uthero is. The costs are generally there to give you an idea of what they are worth, or think they are. If you want the rabble you are going to have to go out and shout at them for a bit until you reach an agreement since they have no leaders.
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    I woke up to a double update! :o

    Excuse me while I go change my underwear...
     
    Crake said:
    We could probably equip them ourselves with better gear, though giving good steel to "former bandits" and other sellswords that likely don't have any unit cohesion seems like a waste.

    The best among the bunch is probably The Wolf's Teeth, not for their supposed connection to a more distinguished company, but for the fact that they don't seem as "on-the-spot" and disorganized.

    The Long Axes are good, but expensive and we're mostly just trying to hire people to garrison the city in the aftermath. Which would make quantity have a quality of its own. More boots on the ground, as it were.

    We also want to hire people who won't run off and sack the city, thus creating needless riots and fires we have to put out or disperse.
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    I want to get all of them but the rabble. We're not paying for them for the first year, which is a plus, and after a year in our service, with such benefits as the best non-magical equipment we can Fabricate for all of them, on tap magical healing, and the promise of steady pay for years to come, there is a good chance we can absorb a great number of them into the Legion.

    [X] Plan "Gotta Catch'em All! (except for the rabble, because who wants rabble?)"
    -[X] The Wolf's Teeth, a company of roughly 800 pikemen and 400 skirmishers claiming dubious lineage from the Company of the Rose (Cost 1000 Gold)
    -[X] Marco's Marksmen, a company of 500 Myrmen crossbowmen and 1500 spearmen and other odds and sods the captain manged to 'induct' on the spot with promises of negotiating for better pay (Cost 1600 Gold)
    -[X] The Long Axes, A company of 450 heavily armored armored Ibbenise axemen who claim to be as much at home in the spear-line as they are as marines (Cost 2000 Gold)
    -[X] Richard and Viserys will sort through the remaining lone blades looking for any diamonds in the rough who we might wish to induct into our own forces, and any other acceptable hires. Simultaneously, Viserys will be using Voice of the Dragon and Air of Nobility to Diplomance those selected and get a better read on their character. (Cost: ???)
     
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    Should we try to run through the individuals picking up the best of the lot? Is there much point? We could take them all, reorganize them into a reserve unit, and then stick them close to our most disciplined troops, maybe stick a PC to rein them in close by.

    Or we could just... hire them into our legion? I don't know if they'd be drilled to our satisfaction in the next couple months though.
     
    Crake said:
    Should we try to run through the individuals picking up the best of the lot? Is there much point? We could take them all, reorganize them into a reserve unit, and then stick them close to our most disciplined troops, maybe stick a PC to rein them in close by.

    Or we could just... hire them into our legion? I don't know if they'd be drilled to our satisfaction in the next couple months though.
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    Plan updated, now with some slight rabble sorting.
     
    @Goldfish maybe ask DP how long
    -[] Richard and Viserys will sort through the remaining lone blades looking for any diamonds in the rough who we might wish to induct into our own forces, and any other acceptable hires. Simultaneously, Viserys will be using Voice of the Dragon and Air of Nobility to Diplomance those selected and get a better read on their character. (Cost: ???)

    might take? A day of Visery's and Richard's time is worth more that 100 men, more than a 1000 when they are being productive.

    Actually, @DragonParadox, I'll ask you the above, directly, and slightly less importantly, did Uthero expect us to pick only one of the options? Because if so, I'd rather pay 50% of the total cost than look like we are trying to take advantage of him in this.

    And I'm grateful that he got someone to do the legwork, so as to avoid limb-loss and dealing with city-to-sea relocation efforts.

    Ohhhh! Very off topic, the flying city that was in Draenor's? (the Artificer's son who ascended to the Forty) Interlude, was there a name attached to it in the memory? Just because "The Flying City" is a silly name imo. Why would someone expect there to only be one if there are any at all?

    Edit: Does Uthero still want to have a castle in Tyrosh? I mean, the thread is expecting to have the first few installed governor people killed and his friend is alive again.
     
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    BeepSmile said:
    @Goldfish maybe ask DP how long
    -[] Richard and Viserys will sort through the remaining lone blades looking for any diamonds in the rough who we might wish to induct into our own forces, and any other acceptable hires. Simultaneously, Viserys will be using Voice of the Dragon and Air of Nobility to Diplomance those selected and get a better read on their character. (Cost: ???)

    might take? A day of Visery's and Richard's time is worth more that 100 men, more than a 1000 when they are being productive.

    Actually, @DragonParadox, I'll ask you the above, directly, and slightly less importantly, did Uthero expect us to pick only one of the options? Because if so, I'd rather pay 50% of the total cost than look like we are trying to take advantage of him in this.

    And I'm grateful that he got someone to do the legwork, so as to avoid limb-loss and dealing with city-to-sea relocation efforts.

    Ohhhh! Very off topic, the flying city that was in Draenor's? (the Artificer's son who ascended to the Forty) Interlude, was there a name attached to it in the memory? Just because "The Flying City" is a silly name imo. Why would someone expect there to only be one if there are any at all?

    Edit: Does Uthero still want to have a castle in Tyrosh? I mean, the thread is expecting to have the first few installed governor people killed and his friend is alive again.
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    Correct me if I'm wrong, @DragonParadox, but since today is the 25th, Viserys and Richard should both have the 26th and 27th available as well. The 25th and 26th are leftover Bloodraven days, and we left a floating day for each of them. Three days seems like plenty to sort through the best of the lot.
     
    Goldfish said:
    Correct me if I'm wrong, @DragonParadox, but since today is the 25th, Viserys and Richard should both have the 26th and 27th available as well. The 25th and 26th are leftover Bloodraven days, and we left a floating day for each of them. Three days seems like plenty to sort through the best of the lot.
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    Mercy conversation needs to be done. Viserys cannot/must not ignore the Arcanum. And then a bit more Rhaella.

    ....
    I wish Baellla were to visit, I hope she's ok.
     
    Azel said:
    @Goldfish, Marco Marksmen are of dubious use for us. We don't need crossbows to take walls and they are ill suited for fighting in the city.
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    [] Marco's Marksmen, a company of 500 Myrmen crossbowmen and 1500 spearmen and other odds and sods the captain manged to 'induct' on the spot with promises of negotiating for better pay (Cost 1600 Gold)

    They're better than nothing. That's still a fighting force of 2,000+ men which we can use as we see fit.

    A year of free service, in which we can tempt them to join the Legion? That seems nearly ideal to me.
     
    BTW, the costs for year long contracts with these various sellsword companies serve as a great benchmark for determining future costs of hiring armsmen of various sorts.

    Wolf's Teeth: 1,200 men for 1,000 gold per year.
    Marco's Marksmen: 2,000 men for 1,600 gold per year.
    The Long Axes: 450 men for 2,000 gold per year.

    That's useful information on its own.
     
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